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Institute of Directors relaxes dress code to attract tech startups

The Institute of Directors, a 100-year-old business club, has announced that it will relax its dress code in order to attract startups and tech entrepreneurs.

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The Pall Mall club has hitherto had a "business attire" dress code, which we take to mean power-suits, ties, brogues and shoulder pads. However, this is incompatible with the sartorial preferences of the modern tech entrepreneur, and ruled out jeans, trainers and hoodies.

In a trial that will last until the end of September, members of the club are able to lounge around the Georgian edifice wearing jeans, T-shirts, shorts and "all variants of footwear".

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It stands to reason that in the process of any change you have a few grumbles. But the business world is changing and we need to take that on boardIoD spokesman. We need to respond to that."

He emphasised that unlike some other establishments in the area, the IoD isn't a private members' club, "it's a professional institute for business". "We need to make sure that people aren't put off and we are accommodating the changing face of business."

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The trial has so far seen a colourful combination of "pinstripes and blazers" alongside "plenty of chinos and T-shirts". However, the new dress code is subject to discretion. When pushed on this, the spokesman suggested that "wet boardshorts and no T-shirt" would probably be considered inappropriate. We pushed on whether Crocs would also fall into this category, but sadly they don't.

Crocs: now permitted at the IoD

Flickr.com/Phillip/CC BY ND 2.0

The IoD says that "there is a very mixed view about the dress code" and that a report of all member feedback received during the trial will be submitted to the Board in September. "It stands to reason that in the process of any change you have a few grumbles. We have 40,000 members, some of whom have been members for 30 years. But the business world is changing and we need to take that on board," the spokesman added.

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Michal Szczesny, Head of Technology at startup Artfinder.com said that the IoD's move demonstrates "that the wider business community acknowledges and welcomes the new generation of digital entrepreneurs, and this provides a great networking opportunity."

He told Wired.co.uk: "Designers and hackers value freedom of expression, as it goes hand in hand with being more creative and courageous. We're really relaxed about the dress code here at Artfinder, as are all of the other startups I know. It helps attract young, dynamic talent - people who care much more about getting stuff done than looking smart."

However, he added that tech entrepreneurs also like to be seen as disruptive and unfettered by business conventions. It's what gives them an edge. If every lawyer, accountant or MD started turning up to work in Converse, we just might have to start wearing suits!"

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In addition to tweaking the dresscode the IoD also has plans to run tech-focussed events, with speakers including Tech City CEO Joanna Shields, and is building relationships with startup organisations.